GPS Trackers

Have a lot of money tied up in mods in my Taco and would most likely get shafted on the insurance payout if it were ever to be stolen. Would like at least a shot of getting it back via a gps tracker.

Don't know much about them except for a brief google search. Looks like there is either the kind that attaches to bottom of car, or plugs into OBD port.

Anyone have any experience with one or advice to offer? Much appreciated!

 

Honestly, I would call your local Sheriff's office and get their opinion on these types of devices based on their experience. From what I have heard is that many vehicles that are stolen are taken to a chop house and are parted out and distributed within minutes to hours. Unfortunately, police arent always quick to respond, you might get it back or you might get half of it back. It might give you piece of mind but it likely won't help all that much from an insurance perspective.

Lojack was kind of the go-to until vehicles became equipped with GPS and SOS features, etc.

Also check with your insurance. USAA offers up to $5k in coverage for modifications but their partner Progressive will cover up to more.

 

Isn't lojack an option people use? I know it's one of the few that tie directly into law enforcement.

Not sure what type of phone you have but if you're looking for a creative way to use devices like Tile or the upcoming Apple Air Tags, these might be decent options as they use "social" mapping to track your stuff. I know Tile has a monthly fee but I don't think the Apple Air Tags will.

Also, just throwing this out there, could you install a hidden kill switch in your vehicle to make it so only you know how to get it to start? Something that would basically kill the power to the ignition or something?

Just some ideas. Not sure if they're helpful at all.

 

There are options out there. Viper, LoJack, Excalibur, and a few others to choose from. Viper/Excalibur can be added onto an aftermarket alarm system vs LoJack which is purely just a tracker. I’ve never needed to track a car but every now and then I’ll throw my other iPhone under the seat and be able to track movement via find my phone. This requires a second phone plan tho.

Whatever one you go with, don’t put on stickers saying “gps tracked” or anything of that nature. and hide the system good. Anybody who wants your truck will go after the gps module first if they know you have one.

 

I wasn't aware of Apple air tags, pretty interesting. Size of a bottle cap and with a U1 ultra-wideband chip, would be more accurate than traditional bluetooth trackers.

I have an alarm already from the dealer, hadn't thought about a kill switch. My luck they would just take it with a flatbed.

 

I was hoping to hear of any real world experiences...i.e. I got the Lojac, here is what I liked/disliked, if I had to do it over again, would do this...etc

 

All of the buy here/pay here car lots put them on cars they sell. If someone misses a payment they know where to pick it up. Might be a good idea to ask them what they use. I have a friend who runs an independent shop and part of his business is installing GPS on such cars for the dealers. I'll ask him what they use next time I see him.

 

GPS tracker is good for stalking the ex, but not for much else. Once your Taco is stolen it is gone. Poof! I strongly suggest adding a "replacement value" rider to your current comprehensive coverage.

Think about it: Putting a GPS tracker on your truck in the hope you will get a higher payout in the event of a claim is not going to help you. The detectives aren't going to jump in their squad cars and go looking for the bad guys the moment you let them know you woke up and your truck is gone. Maybe in a couple of days or so they give you a call back.

Frankly, if I were worried about someone stealing my Taco and the insurance payoff would be too low (in my opinion) compared to replacement value, installing a GPS would make very little sense. I would save the $25 or $40 and put in a simple kill switch. Done.

 

I'd search for a system you can track and ask yourself if you want to take that risk. Most PD's are too busy to run right over, and have cruisers following them, like on the movie. As @JoeCOVA mentioned, the vehicles are usually dismantled within hours, or leaving straight to Mexico.

 

Exactly what I'm looking for and yes I'm willing to take the risk. One of the things I don't like about the Lojac is that you are reliant on the signal going to PD and God only knows when & if they will respond.

 

If you've got your radio ticket you could put an aprs tracker in..
https://www.byonics.com/products

 

That would be a helluva note. To have your made in Mexico Taco end up in a chop shop in Mexico.

 

I think your first step would be to visit with the insurance agent about the add-ons and coverage.

Then possibly the LEO for tracking devices.

Although, typically when a vehicle is stolen....it gets trashed or stripped or parted or shipped before it can be tracked, located and recovered.

 

could go with one of those n2 designs with the mobile app thing too. bonus points to remote start from anywhere.

also, cant you increase your premium for your insurance to cover the mods? or buy something like renters insurance to cover the mods?

 

I'm with those who suggest just making sure your insurance is up to date. If your insurance won't play ball, there are those that will.

If for whatever reason it's found, you can guarantee it's not going to be in the condition you last saw it. I'm reminded of that scene in The Other Guys (Will Farrel and Mark Wahlberg) where the dude's car was stolen, and the recovered it but only after it was used for an orgy of homeless people.

It's going to be a MUCH bigger pain in the ass to get insurance to fix the thing (back to original condition) instead of just outright replacing it.

 

19+ trucks have a DCM. Regardless of whether or not you use the app or pay for the service or opt out of the SOS tracking, the mothership will always know what’s going on with your truck (dcm is also tied into mic and speakers).

Any legit vehicle theft operation will defeat/jam that and any other signal being emitted from the truck.

I’ve said this before, the best theft deterrent is TIME. Get an OBD port lock before anything else, and make sure your VIN isn’t visible from the exterior anywhere.
Any extra minute added onto their routine is enough to make them move onto the next sucker.

And if they manage to still defeat that, then fuck it, it’s their truck at that point and I don’t want it back.

 

I believe I got LoJack thrown in on my deal when i bought my truck used, so there's that.

I didn't feel that was enough, so I also had my shop install a kill switch in a tucked away location that you would have to know is there to find it 99% of the time. Kill the truck p much anytime i park somewhere that isn't home/my usual spots.

 

This is good to know about the DCM tracking your truck, hopefully with the right law enforcement, they could use it to track the location of your truck, providing it has Navi, is that right? Does anyone know this for sure or have used it to their advantage to get their truck back? I know on my wifes last Acura, police could find the car by contacting Acura and locating the vehicle through her nav. Of course, if the law enforcement has time....

 

I’m sure people will just ignore my above post again; but here’s some more info..

All they need is a pic of your VIN.
They’ll go cut a physical key, open the door, connect to the OBD, program the key to the truck, and they’re gone. All this takes just a few minutes to do.

A kill switch could work, but they’ll still be able to get into the truck and route around in there. And if they really want the truck they’ll bust it up to find the switch and leave if they can’t find it.

Block your VIN if you don’t want them in the truck in the first place.

Of course there’s always the random crack head or whatever that will just bust up a window or what have you.. there’s really no defence from the random crack head damage unfortunatly. They probably won’t get away with the vehicle though.. the stereo might be smashed up and glove box routed through lol

 

Yup. If the authorities contact the manufacturer (and have a warrant) they can get all that info. Almost all modern cars have this kind of system + an independent ‘black box’ system.